Joel Thompson Announcement

[redandwhite4evr]

Joel Thompson will be remembered as a great clubman who gave his all. I think however, his best days are behind him and can understand SGI not wanting to go beyond a one year deal.

All this talk about props and back rowers overlooks the fact that there are no specialist positions (apart from dummy half) in the forwards these days. The demise of scrums has seen to that. Jason NIghtingale probably does as many "hit ups" as some of the props, particularly after fielding balls in his own 22 after a kick when the pigs are struggling to get back.

When Graham came on board, I was worried as he doesn't bend the line in attack but I think he makes up for that with aggressive leadership and great defence-, he was a key reason Australia couldn't penetrate the English forwards defence in the WC final. In Widdop and Graham we now have two English super defenders- who would have thought it!

Vaughan could play front row, second row or lock- it doesn't matter- the important thing is that he complements Graham and does bend the line in attack. Just like Taumalolo who plays lock and is even bigger than Vaughan.

A DT rumour circling a week or so ago was that a NRL club was circling Jermaine McGillvray. Probably the Roosters but gee I hope that the Dragons at least have a go at him with the Thompson money.

 

[Dragon Revival]

Hind is contracted to a feeder club for the Storm in Queensland.

 

[BennyV]

Joel Thompson will be remembered as a great clubman who gave his all. I think however, his best days are behind him and can understand SGI not wanting to go beyond a one year deal.

All this talk about props and back rowers overlooks the fact that there are no specialist positions (apart from dummy half) in the forwards these days. The demise of scrums has seen to that. Jason NIghtingale probably does as many "hit ups" as some of the props, particularly after fielding balls in his own 22 after a kick when the pigs are struggling to get back.

When Graham came on board, I was worried as he doesn't bend the line in attack but I think he makes up for that with aggressive leadership and great defence-, he was a key reason Australia couldn't penetrate the English forwards defence in the WC final. In Widdop and Graham we now have two English super defenders- who would have thought it!

Vaughan could play front row, second row or lock- it doesn't matter- the important thing is that he complements Graham and does bend the line in attack. Just like Taumalolo who plays lock and is even bigger than Vaughan.

A DT rumour circling a week or so ago was that a NRL club was circling Jermaine McGillvray. Probably the Roosters but gee I hope that the Dragons at least have a go at him with the Thompson money.

What game are you watching?!?! Of course there are specialist positions in the forwards (when Mary isn’t coaching, that is).

- Props are still the battering ram forwards used to shore up the middle in defence and get the team on the front foot in attack. Yes, wingers take some of the workload early in the set to allow the team an extra tackle to get back, but the front towers are the ones who are used to get a real role forward. The workload on large bodies means that you usually have a rotation of 4 in the team.

- Second row is a very specialist position, to the extent that many are specialised to left or right second rower. They defend 4 in, meaning they are usually marking the opposition half/second rower while covering for a smaller defender on the outside. In attack, despite what Mary does, they are used in attacking formations so change angles, hit holes and wear down opposition small men. The ability to run the correct line and time your run correctly, keeping an eye on the man about to pass you the ball while also being aware of the gap you wish to run into, is not a common skill.

- Lock is just another middle forward and CAN be interchangeable with props, but they usually offer something different - stronger defence, longer minutes, ball playing ability, etc.

So yes, there are 3 specialist positions (4 if you consider left and right back rower separate) in the modern forward pack, plus hooker.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Am sure very few forum members are happy to see Joel go, but the reality is Host should have got more game time this season. Host is in my view ready to step up. Leilua initially off the bench will give us an additional ball player.

Host is an excellent hole runner who has developed an imposing physique.

In my view Millward and the club made the right decision. Better to let Joel leave one year early than play one year too long and clog the clear pathway being created for our top juniors.

This is another discussion point altogether.

 

[denis preston]

Manly originally offered 4 years...NRL had to clear this signing in terms of their cap

Makes sense GM .Contract 2 years and another ( NRL unregistered but binding ) contract giving him option for another 2 years should he want.

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

For me I ask this , who would I have , loose Thomo to gain to gain Graham or keep him and not gain Graham ? After all the chess pieces are put in place as much as I liked Thomo I'd rather Graham ......

But in truth - we could've had both if we wanted.
Another Graham or Packer, who would you choose?

 

[hazzbeen]

But in truth - we could've had both if we wanted.
Another Graham or Packer, who would you choose?

Dennis for me Graham not because he is with us now . I wish he would have come to us a bit earlier . He adds the aggression that Parker has but also adds a more attacking role with the ball , but for me it's his never die attitude that will get us home in tight games . So answering your question Graham for me ...... Like to know what your thoughts are .....

 

[Uplifting]

I agree with the view that the front row is where we have positions vacant.

Graham is a good player, and I wouldn’t expect he goes much better than Packer.

I think Vaughan was probably the only one who could just produce momentum this season. The other guys took advantage of the defensive line having to run back an extra 5-10M when he had a run.

My hopes are that Lawrie grows in to a good conbo with both Vaughan and Graham next season.

Sele should come off the bench into the back row. Sims needs to be starting in the second row that’s evidently his best position.

 

[emack]

..................................just my humble opinion, but he played the lights out in 2017 until he got his contract extension from our f*&ked up admin and then he went but to being a "comfortable coaster" sucking up salary cap. Give me a team of hungry players that want to win a premiership and then all we need to do is replace McFuw*&t and we WILL dominate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Belta]

I agree with emacks opinion about contract extensions and how players played better leading up to their extensions ( and it's a difficult thing to address) and previous comments on line speed in defense waning as the season progressed but BennyV comment about; "...props are still the battering ram...used to get a real role forward..." Is an area we need to get right especially after losing Packer and to a lesser degree Thompson. We need to win the forward battle to give ourselves a fighting chance.

It appers there are suitable candidates to take up this mantle. I believe our bench is vital and Lawrie, Simms,Leilua and Host will most definitely need to step up a notch or two from last season. Whoever is not able to the coach needs to identify and look for other options, maybe Latimore, Kerr or Allgood may deliver the necessary impetus. We need this to happen to give our new play makers the room and field position.

 

[epDragon62]

Give me a break guys, roll vs role is t that hard to get right...

 

[epDragon62]

Packer was broken - I don’t believe he held back. Vaughny kept giving his all but was well marked as the season progressed and losing Packer’s punch made it harder work for him.

If fit, Graham will give us similar to Packer in attack, if not better offloading, and more steel in defence. I’m looking forward to 2018.

 

[nontime111]

Lawrie is ready IMO but needs game time to get used to FG.

Lawrie has the MUNGREL required tough as teak and still so young massive potential! skills also....hell shine this year

 

[West coast dragon]

Packer was broken - I don’t believe he held back. Vaughny kept giving his all but was well marked as the season progressed and losing Packer’s punch made it harder work for him.

If fit, Graham will give us similar to Packer in attack, if not better offloading, and more steel in defence. I’m looking forward to 2018.

Packer pulled up stumps the moment he signed on the bottom line with the tigers

 

[Belta]

epDragon 62 said; "Give me a break guys, roll vs role is t that hard to get right..."

Why thankyou for noticing the spelling mistake. I must say your own post is not exactly a literary master piece.

You know what they say about people in glass houses don't you?

 

[Belta]

Literacy masterpiece. I really should post after nightshift.

 

[getsmarty]

Manly’s pursuit of Trent Hodkinson has stalled due to NRL concern over ongoing salary cap dramas
NRL Teams

• January 2, 2018 4:23pm
• Tony Webeck@tonywebeck
• Source: FOX SPORTS

MANLY’S ongoing salary cap investigation could cost them a halves partner for Daly Cherry-Evans for a second time as the NRL awaits the club’s response to the breach notice issued early last month.

According to a report posted on the Wide World of Sports website Manly has a contract ready to offer current Newcastle half Trent Hodkinson but won’t be allowed to proceed until the NRL is satisfied that their salary cap dramas have been sufficiently resolved.

The Sea Eagles asked for and were granted an extension to the standard five-day appeal process after the breach notice was issued on December 11 and have until the end of January to file their submission.

Until that happens and the NRL Integrity Unit is able to complete its investigation it is unlikely any new contracts will be registered, putting not only the Hodkinson deal but also the one trumpeted to bring former Dragon Joel Thompson to the club in some doubt.


Despite the Sea Eagles announcing prior to Christmas the signing of Thompson on a two-year deal the contract has not yet been submitted to the NRL and will likely not be approved until the club can prove it will be salary cap compliant for the 2018 season.

The NRL Integrity Unit is not due to reconvene until mid-January but an NRL spokesman told foxsports.com.au that Manly’s response to the breach notice is not expected to be received at NRL headquarters until just before the deadline.


Having released Blake Green so that he could take up a three-year deal with the Warriors and missed out on the signature of Mitchell Pearce, the Sea Eagles are still searching for an experienced half to play alongside Cherry-Evans in 2018.

Hodkinson was the 2010 NRL Rookie of the Year at Manly before joining the Bulldogs on a rich three-year deal at the end of the season but will struggle to break into the Knights’ starting 17 in 2018 following the arrival of both Mitchell Pearce and Connor Watson from the Roosters.

It leaves Hodkinson without an NRL team to play in and Manly a spot on their roster that needs filling but bringing the two parties together could be a convoluted and potentially drawn-out process.

In recent years Hodkinson’s career had been plagued by knee injuries and midway through the 2017 season the Newcastle captain suffered the ignominy of being dropped to the Intrust Super Premiership for more than two months.

He returned to play a key role as the side won three games on the trot late in the year but the development of Brock Lamb and acquisitions of Pearce and Watson make him excess to Newcastle’s requirements with a year to run on his contract.

Renowned for his work within the community at the Sea Eagles, Bulldogs and now Knights, Hodkinson was responsible for the most heart-wrenching story of 2017 when he escorted a terminally ill teenager to her formal in Kurri Kurri.

Sadly, Hannah Rye passed away just a month later, Hodkinson writing her name on his wrist strapping as a final tribute.


https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/0a4d316b4682ee80ea6a975f837a1870

 

[dragonssamy61]

Interesting

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

Can we assume he is no longer a Dragons contracted player, therefore if his deal with Manly falls thru, he won't be coming back to us, unless the club chooses to resign him?

 

[possm]

Interesting

Well there you go, Thompson's off is for only two years, contrary to reports he was leaving for a long term deal that would take care of his and his family's future. Given that he still had one year left on his deal with the Dragons, it seems he left early for a contract that would give him one extra year at Manly. Now it is all up in the air again and so Thompson may possibly be looking for another contract in February.

So is there more to this story after all? Do we really have the reported 900k left in our salary cap and if so, why did we let Thompson who was on around 400k go to Manly.

To me there seems more to this story given that reports are that the Dragons will be recruiting Walmsley in 2019; not 2018. If the idea is to secure an outside back / fullback, surely the odd 500k would surely suffice.